New APS site opens in Zutendaal

1 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –Army Maj. Gen. Steven A. Shapiro, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Steven Vandeput, Belgian Minister of Defense, Matthew Lussenhop, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the United States to the Kingdom of Belgium and Ann Schrijvers, mayor of Zutendaal, cut the ribbon during the opening of the Army pre-positioned stocks site Nov. 21, 2017, in Zutendaal, Belgium. APS sites are vital components of total Army readiness as they provide space for the U.S. military to store equipment and prepare to fight within days instead of months. (Photo Credit: PierreEtienne Courtejoie)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 2Show Caption +Hide Caption –Steven Vandeput, Belgian Minister of Defense, speaks to the audience during the opening of the new U.S. Army's pre-positioned stocks, or APS, site Nov. 21, 2017, in Zutendaal, Belgium. The APS sites are supported by U.S. Army Garrison Benelux and are vital components of total Army readiness as they give combatant commanders the ability to execute operation plans worldwide. (Photo Credit: PierreEtienne Courtejoie)VIEW ORIGINAL

CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- The 405th Army Field Support Brigade opened a new Army pre-positioned stocks, or APS, site Nov. 21, 2017, in Zutendaal, Belgium. Army Maj. Gen. Steven A. Shapiro, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Steven Vandeput, Belgian Minister of Defense, Matthew Lussenhop, Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the United States to the Kingdom of Belgium and Ann Schrijvers, mayor of Zutendaal, gathered to celebrate the opening of the new site, which provides 450,000 square feet of humidity controlled warehouse space and 40,000 square feet of hardstand storage.

By 2021, 31 units are planned to be located in this site, which will give the U.S. Army the ability to be ready for the fight within days instead of months.

"Pre-positioned stocks, like the one in Zutendaal, also serve as a proof of the principle of 'speed of assembly.' Having these stocks pre-positioned across Europe give national-level leaders more effective options when addressing with emergency situations. This allows for a faster response as well as reducing deployment timelines, improving deterrence capabilities and providing additional combat power for contingency operations," said Shapiro.